Thursday, 18 May 2017

Review ~ Anne Boleyn:A King's Obsession by Alison Weir..

Anne Boleyn. The second of Henry's Queens. Her story. History tells us why she died. This powerful novel shows her as she lived.

What did I think about it..

Alison Weir's second volume in
her Six Tudor Queens series starts in 1512 when Anne Boleyn leaves her
childhood home at Hever Castle to take up a position as fille d’honeur to the Archduchess Margaret of Austria. In the
glittering courts of Burgundy and France, Anne discovers that charm, wit and
intelligence will be her saving grace, and as she grows to young adulthood, it
becomes obvious that Anne's ambition will take her in a very different
direction than that of her older sister, Mary.

Beautifully written and
meticulously researched, the author puts very human emotion at the heart of
Anne’s life story. Anne’s early relationships with her family, her sister Mary
in particular, is explored in detail, as is her later adult association with
Henry Percy and Thomas Wyatt. All are contrasted against the wider significance
of Anne’s burgeoning relationship with King Henry VIII.

The author writes with authority
on the Tudor period and instils a real sense of personality into Anne so that
you can’t help but be captivated by this young woman whose sparkling
personality set the English royal court alight. I think what comes across is
the very human face of a young woman who glittered and charmed her way into the
affections of a King, a King whose capricious nature would be her very undoing.

After all that has been written
about Anne's life you would think that there can't be much new to be revealed.
However, in this fictional version of Anne’s life the
Henrician court comes alive with all the gossipy intrigue, calculated scheming and deadly manipulations
which are so reminiscent of this time in England's chequered history. And even
though you know how Anne Boleyn’s story plays out, you can’t help but become completely
caught up in her life story, which is so beautifully recreated by this talented writer.

This second volume follows the
successful Katherine of Aragon. I can’t wait to see what happens in the third
volume when Jane Seymour’s life will be laid bare and held up to scrutiny.

Best Read With ..Gold and jewelled goblets filled with rich, red wine..